Microphone Isolation in Bone Conduction Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive hearing loss individuals often face limitations with traditional air conduction hearing aids, and those with sensorineural hearing loss may not derive sufficient benefit from them, necessitating alternative methods to effectively transmit sound vibrations to the cochlea.

Innovation Solution

A transcutaneous bone conduction device featuring a seismic mass actuator and a coupling mass that generates vibrations based on sound signals received by microphones, with suspension mechanisms to decouple the microphones from these vibrations, ensuring effective sound transmission to the skull while minimizing feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the microphone is rigidly mounted to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the microphone picks up vibration noise from the actuator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration isolation element is introduced as an intermediary component between the microphone and the housing. This element acts as a mechanical filter that blocks vibration transmission from the actuator to the microphone while maintaining the structural integrity and stability of the housing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The microphone is extracted from the rigid housing structure and mounted on a separate vibration isolation element. This separation allows the microphone to be isolated from the vibration-generating actuator while the housing maintains its structural stability for other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the microphone is isolated from vibrations using suspension mechanisms, then the vibration noise is reduced, but the structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration noiseVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation element serves as a mediator that provides both vibration filtering and structural support. It is designed to be sufficiently rigid to maintain structural stability while incorporating vibration-damping properties to reduce noise transmission to the microphone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed with differentiated local qualities: the main housing maintains high rigidity and stability for structural support, while the specific region where the microphone is mounted incorporates vibration isolation properties through the isolation element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a transcutaneous design is used, then the bone conduction function is achieved, but the device complexity increases compared to traditional hearing aids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone conduction functionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a vibration isolation mounting structure for the microphone, and interfaces with the bone conduction actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration isolation element is integrated into the housing structure rather than being a separate assembly. The microphone mounting structure is combined with the vibration isolation function, reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying the device while maintaining bone conduction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively transmits sound vibrations to the skull, improving hearing for individuals with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss by bypassing air conduction limitations and reducing vibration-induced feedback in microphones.

Implementation Method 1

a seismic mass actuator configured to generate vibration for delivery to the recipient based on the sound signals received at the microphone, wherein the actuator comprises a seismic mass configured for relative movement with the coupling mass to generate the vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

at least one housing suspension mechanism coupled to the housing and the seismic mass so that the housing is suspended from the seismic mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10123138B2Microphone isolation in a bone conduction device

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

Presented herein are transcutaneous bone conduction devices having seismic mass actuators that impart vibration to a recipient's skull via relative movement of an associated seismic mass and a coupling mass. The vibration may be generated based on sound signals received at one or more microphones that are suspended from the seismic mass.